Helen Sadique has been co-ordinating walks in Bexley for 14 years this year, Originally a Nordic Walking group set by the local Council in with circa 6- 7 walks per week this project originally offered a mix of FREE walks once a quarter plus a monthly package which provided access to Workout Walks. It attracted circa 500 – 600 walkers per month to walks delivered by 4 Instructors and 19 volunteer leaders.
Now there are 25 activities per week available for the Community both online and outdoors and the focus is on total body walking with integrated balance, strength and functional movement as well as pole walking. . They still deliver free walks to some cohorts along with the option of a very reasonable monthly DD of £21 and PAYG (Pay as you go) from £3.
Following a £10,000 Walking and Cycling Grant from Transport for London in 2023, and match funding from Lex Leisure (who operate the local Leisure Centre) over a 3 year period Helen was the project coordinator for a new WALX initiative which was established to support older adults to lead more active lives through walking. The WALX project aims to improve the social & mental health of older adults and those living with long term health conditions across Bexley through 6-week healthy lifestyle plans and weekly Total Body Walking classes.
Through May – September of Year 1, the project engaged 41 adults in the WALX 6-week Plan, with 22 participants signing up to a monthly package after the Plan (54% conversion). 78% of participants were signposted from the Steps to Health Cardiac Rehabilitation programme, following a referral from their GP.
WALX BEXLEY delivered Discovery sessions and WALX trained 2 further Cardiac Rehabilitation professionals, further strengthening the signposting-to and uptake-within the WALX programme. 7 volunteers and participants completed the Community WALX Leader training which will support with the delivery, expansion and legacy of the project.
Feedback from participants was universally positive; comments particularly highlight:
- The sociality of the group
- The benefit of meeting others
- The expertise of the instructor
- The emotional benefit of exercising outdoors.
Helen told us
“I enjoy my role as Co-ordinator and Leading sessions, I especially admire the people who want to Volunteer their time to help get the local residents out walking and socialising.
Along with my role as a Co-ordinator I am involved in Cardiac Rehabilitation so I have a strong link with the local hospitals, from their Rehabilitation finishing at the Hospital, the progress in to the WALX program has proven to work really well, we offer the patients the WALX 6 week plan giving access to the WALX in Bexley activities for free.
My most amazing patient that has been in the WALX program for 9 months now spent much of his Early Cardiac Rehabilitation exercising on a chair, from finishing with the hospital he joined the WALX 6 week plan, starting with the Easy Strider WALX and the Cardiac Support WALX, he progressed to the 45 minute WALX and then was able to complete the 60 minute WALX. On a Thursday he now attends the 11.30am and the 1.00pm WALX, both 60 minutes long and at the end of January he completed the 9 mile Explorer WALX from Greenwich to Tower Bridge and back to Canary Wharf – it that isn’t a reason for LOVING my job I am not sure what is!
Other Customers told us………………..
“I am enjoying the sessions. They give me an incentive to get up in the mornings”
“I have found all the instructors very helpful + professional. Since joining the walking groups it has been improving my attitude to fitness”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and being out in the fresh air … There is always motivation and encouragement. It’s also great to meet others who have had a cardiac event. Just having a chat with them can have a very positive effect”
“I can recommend the programme. It has been extremely important in my recovery from my heart attack.”
“Since taking part I have found an improvement in my breathing and I have had to use my inhaler less.”
WALX in Bexley is continually growing and are a brilliant bunch of inspirational instructors and leaders who simply love what they do!